DuckDuckGo goes on the offensive against Google. In a tweet posted on December 22, 2022, the company announced that its browser extension will now block Google login pop-ups on third-party sites to best preserve the privacy of its users.
An authentication method that is too talkative
The connection method offered by Google allows you to identify yourself on certain sites without having to create an account, simply with Google identifiers. It usually manifests as a small pop-up window that offers a way “simple, fast and secure”. Problem, this prompt returns personal information to Google, whether the user wants it or not.
“These pop-ups are invasive, annoying and invade users’ privacy. Google uses a dark pattern encouraging you to sign in through Google when you might not otherwise. Google then tracks what you do on those websites and links it to your account.”, explains Peter Dolanjski, product manager at DuckDuckGo. Each site you connect to through Google sends information back to the company, and if the company promises that this data “are not used for ad targeting or other non-security purposes”DuckDuckGo does not want to take any risks.
Login via Google possible, but limited
The latest update to its extension therefore blocks these pop-ups, whether you use it on Chrome or Firefox. The feature cannot be disabled, unless you shut down the extension itself.
If you use the Google authentication method on certain sites, don’t worry. The extension won’t block all login attempts, it just prevents pop-ups from appearing when opening a web page. If the site editor offers a dedicated button on its identification page, it will still be usable. However, you will be warned.